Looking for help from the community.

[Okele]

I recently got the go ahead from the boss to get a new TV with some of our tax money. I've narrowed it down to 4 TV's and I need your help to solve my dilemna. I will try to post links to the places where info is. To keep this computer related and to keep it from getting deleted, I will tell you now that this new TV will be integrated with a home media server/(I have a big TV I think I'll hook up my computer and play a video game from my pc). Without further ado here are the TV's I narrowed my choices too:


1. Samsung LN52A750 - 52" ToC LCD Link to samsung site (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=lcdtv&model_cd=LN52A750R1FXZA)

There are a few things I like about this set. The integrated RSS feeds is a nice feature in case my couch has a firm grip on me and I need news! Plus it already has an Ethernet port to connect to a network. It's probably the best TV out there at the moment, but for a cost of 2299 at best buy(last weekend) Im stuck on paying that price.

2. Samsung PN50A530 - 50" Plasma Link to Samsung site (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=plasmatv&model_cd=PN50A530S2FXZA)

I've seen this one in action, and while have never been a big fan of plasma TV's this TV looked great and its price hovered around 1300.00

3. Vizio VF550XVT - 55" Class LCD FHDTV - Vizios product site (http://www.vizio.com/product.aspx?id=2802&pid=1502)

Now this TV is probably my top choice at the moment. It has most of the features of a samsung minus the RSS feed. It doesnt however have the ability to connect to a network. But it does have 5 HDMI inputs(what?). It has the 120 HZ refresh rate as well. Havent been able to find one yet, and its only sold at Costco, Sams Club and BJ's(which Ive never even heard of). Price 1547-1999.

4. Samsung HL61A750 - 61" DLP TV Samsungs Product Link (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=dlptv&model_cd=HL61A750A1FXZA)

This was the original TV I was going to get when we got our taxes back, but I found out a few days ago that Samsung has Discontinued all DLP manufacturing. The difference between this and say a Mitsubishi DLP tv is the light engine, it boasts a new LED backlight engine that is suppose to last 60,000 hours plus. Problem is that Samsung isnt going to support the tv anymore and at a modulating price of 1400-1900 Im not sure if this would be worth it.


+rep to anyone who leaves an honest opinion and helps me decide which one to get.

Ive also added a poll to the thread to help me keep better track. I think Im at the point that I will let you guys decide which TV I get.

[progbuddy]

I would go with the top one naturally, because it consumes less power and has a clear picture. I know someone that owns that TV, and they are pleased with it. I also like the kickass border too. :)

[billygoat333]

I would go with the top one naturally, because it consumes less power and has a clear picture. I know someone that owns that TV, and they are pleased with it. I also like the kickass border too. :)

I concur. Go with the Samsung LCD. they are nice!!!

[Zephik]

My Vote: Samsung LN52A750 - 52" ToC LCD

Samsung HL61A750 - 61" DLP TV

That giant 61" DLP is nice, because its 61"! But its a DLP, which aren't known to make people all that happy sometimes. First off, when the bulbs go out, they cost quite a bit to get replaced. Second, the picture quality isn't as good as other TV types (Plasma and LCD). Finally, the specs on the product page are kind of low and weird. (what? no back panel ports? just side panel? huh? weird.)

So I crossed out that option. Its cheap for being so big for a reason!

Vizio VF550XVT - 55" Class LCD FHDTV

This would be my second choice. I've looked around online and people seem to be pretty excited about it, but no one seems to either have it or have really reviewed it. But it seems like a pretty nice TV from what I can tell.

But I didn't pick it because I'm more of a Samsung fan than I am of a brand I've never heard of before. Although it supposedly uses a Samsung display. :think:

Samsung PN50A530 - 50" Plasma

My father owns a Plasma and I'm kind of impartial to it. Plasma technology is pretty good in theory, but quality is all over the place, so stick with the trusted brands when it comes to Plasma displays.

Anyways, some of the reasons why I don't like Plasma;

Possibility of a "burn-in"
They aren't as bright as LCD's
They have a pretty short life expectancy
They will lose some of their brilliance (or a lot depending on the brand/quality) within the first year and a bit more in the following years. I can personally attest for this because I've seen it first hand. Even my father agrees that its not as bright and crisp as when he first bought it, but he also says that he can't complain because they are a pretty good deal, which I also agree with. At half the cost of LCD, if you need it cheap, then plasma is the way to go I suppose.

They also don't make very good computer displays in case you are interested in that. If you want to use it as a computer display, stick with LCD. I'd rather use my 17" POS Dell LCD than my dads 42" Plasma.

There is a reason why Plasma is pretty cheap, keep that in mind!

Samsung LN52A750 - 52" ToC

Pretty good specs, plenty of ports, and a decent display size. It has also recieved great reviews on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN52A750-52-Inch-1080p-Touch/dp/B001418WF4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232977117&sr=8-1) AND its only two thousand dollars, the same price as the Vizio (from product page).

The more I read about this monitor the more I like it! I can't really find any negatives, although it seems some people prefer the 650 over the 750 because the 650 doesn't have that reflective bezel and is otherwise basically the same aside from no subwoofer.

Anyways, this one is pretty much a sure thing and is definitely the best choice. Probably why it costs more than other displays, good things are never cheap you know! If you want the best, you must invest! ;)

Here is a pretty good review. (http://www.ultimateavmag.com/flatpaneldisplays/608samln52/)(The fact that it even has a review says something about it.)

[Xpirate]

I have the Samsung LN52A550. It is really nice. The only thing I do not like about it is the way it plays kind of a loud tune when you turn it on and off. Everything else about it is really nice.

[Vitz¥^]

I have the Samsung LN52A550. It is really nice. The only thing I do not like about it is the way it plays kind of a loud tune when you turn it on and off. Everything else about it is really nice.i would suspect that you can turn that tune off in the settings somewhere. You certainly can with my 32" Samsung (forget the model number atm). It kinda sounds like something off Mario land or summit on the good ol' gameboy! lol.

Anyway, if I had the money I'd go for the top one as well, it looks like a damn good tv and all the options it comes with (input wise) sound pretty good :D and lets face it, it's gonna look pretty sweet on anyones wall fs!

Please also bear in mind that I'm a samsung fan in general, love their sleek designs and quality of products (in general ofc).

[Zephik]

Psh, forget all of those! I have your winner right here...

Khb0HUIMZ6Y

x4 the resolution of 1080p at 8 million pixels! :eek:

[XcOM]

the 50" samsung plasma gets my vote, only because my bro has one and i can attest to the quality loss in the two years he has had it due to it being plasma, but even still the overall quality shouldn't be sniffed at.

and at that price its a good deal.

[Xpirate]

i would suspect that you can turn that tune off in the settings somewhere. You certainly can with my 32" Samsung (forget the model number atm). It kinda sounds like something off Mario land or summit on the good ol' gameboy! lol.

I found the answer on-line: setup/ External setting / melody on/off
Now I can't wait to go home and try it out. (+rep Vitz¥^)

I chose the LCD over the Plasma because the LCD uses less energy. My wife and child run the TV almost every waking hour.

[Zephik]

3. Vizio VF550XVT - 55" Class LCD FHDTV - Price 1547-1999.


Didn't see the price range the first time, just saw $1999. In my opinion, if you can get the Vizio for $1500 then snatch up that deal asap!

Its about as close to being on par with the "Samsung LN52A750 - 52" ToC" as you can get, especially since I believe I read somewhere that they use Samsung displays. But hell, at a quarter of the price cheaper than the Samsung, thats a pretty great deal. And if that Plasma is only $1300, then definitely pay the extra $200 to get the LCD Vizio! Usually the price difference of Plasma vs LCD is at least $500 more for LCD (example: $1500 Plasma vs $2000 LCD for same screen size).

Like I said, if you can get the Vizio for $1500, then as far as I'm concerned there is really no comparison here. Thats just too good of a deal for such minor differences between it and the Samsung w/ TOC (touch of color - the bit of clear red around the edges for that extra nice touch).


I chose the LCD over the Plasma because the LCD uses less energy. My wife and child run the TV almost every waking hour.

Hey thats right, thanks for reminding me about something...

Thats another thing I don't like about Plasma's, they eat up a bit more juice than LCD's do.

Vizio LCD = 244W

Samsung LCD = 290W (50w more than Vizio but with a smaller screen? weird lol)

Samsung Plasma = 540W (yikes)

[Spawn-Inc]

Samsung 52" ToC got my vote, that is one dam sexy tv. i would have gotten one but for some reason you need lots of money... ohwell maybe next time.

[Okele]

My Vote: Samsung LN52A750 - 52" ToC LCD

Samsung HL61A750 - 61" DLP TV

That giant 61" DLP is nice, because its 61"! But its a DLP, which aren't known to make people all that happy sometimes. First off, when the bulbs go out, they cost quite a bit to get replaced. Second, the picture quality isn't as good as other TV types (Plasma and LCD). Finally, the specs on the product page are kind of low and weird. (what? no back panel ports? just side panel? huh? weird.)

So I crossed out that option. Its cheap for being so big for a reason!



First thanks for everyones input, it will help in a week and a half when Im out hitting the streets to find my TV. I quoted this because the information here is actually inaccurate. The Samsung uses LED Lightengine, as they did away with the traditional color wheel that was/is inherent in most DLP TV's. Couple that with the fact that the LED light engine will last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 hours(5-7 years?) not real sure on that lol. I just wanted to inform better, I suppose. The LED light engine is the only reason this TV is on the list.

[Zephik]

First thanks for everyones input, it will help in a week and a half when Im out hitting the streets to find my TV. I quoted this because the information here is actually inaccurate. The Samsung uses LED Lightengine, as they did away with the traditional color wheel that was/is inherent in most DLP TV's. Couple that with the fact that the LED light engine will last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 hours(5-7 years?) not real sure on that lol. I just wanted to inform better, I suppose. The LED light engine is the only reason this TV is on the list.

My bad, I should of read the actual product page and not just the spec page. :)

Well hmmm. That changes things up a bit, but not too much. One thing that I'm fairly sure that hasn't changed is the picture quality and the way the screen is made (familiar to all rear projection tv's). Think of it like holding up, like.. really thin, fine mesh over the screen? I mean, its not THAT bad, but when comparing to LCD or Plasma you can probably understand why I would say that. I think its called the Silk Screen Effect. I believe this is also whats responsible for "screen blackout" when viewing rear projection models from certain angles? Not entirely sure on that though, or if that would even be a problem with this TV, but I mention it because it has been a problem for the ones I've seen.

Don't forget that its still a pretty thick TV though, 14 inches I believe is what it said. I only mention just in case because that would be a problem for some people, but I'm sure you already know.

I believe the power consumption on this model is only a mere 230w by the way. Pretty good for its size!

But personally, the picture quality/material is a turn off for me so I still wouldn't recommend it over the others, but some people don't seem to mind all that much. My father for example doesn't care much at all about quality as much as he cares about screen size. Same with my uncle, who owns a 70" monster! It takes up most his living room wall. lol

Hope that helps!

[Okele]

Ok so I stopped by Circuit city today at lunch, and Im really mad at them lol. I still have a week before I have the money to actually buy my tv and they are down to 20% and 25% off on LCD's and Plasma(respectively). At this rate I dont know if there will be any available by the time I have the money to buy.

[Twigsoffury]

They aren't as bright as LCD's

ummmm..........


Should l00k at Marantz Gas Plasma.


Cause if it ain't Marantz it's not worth purchasing.

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1571/marantz2245wo4.jpg

I almost sleep with that in my bed every night...

[theshoeshineman]

In terms of bang for your buck Vizio is way ahead for me.

In terms of style, well I'm Samsung all the way!

So basically if you spend a lot of time watching movies, want something slick or entertain a lot I'd go with the Samsung LCD.

If your after a value for money option and your a bit of a tech freak and want to plug lots of things into it and don't really care about style or brand I'd go with the visio.

I'd need to view them side by side to say what picture I enjoy viewing more in terms of quality. The figures on the spec sheet don't mean much to me if my eyes can't tell or contradict it.

[Okele]

Update:

So I went to Costco last weekend to check out the Vizio. The guy admitted to me that the picture on it looked like crap because they had crappy wiring in that area. Today I went in there and asked them to set the TV up on a good connection. All I can say is SOLD!

[BuzzKillington]

Glad to hear you are happy with the TV. I always wondered why a lot of places have their TVs set up badly and are all grainy... I'm sure they lose a ton of sales because of that. If I were their supplier, I'd give them a free blueray to hook my tv's up to ONLY to demonstrate the true quality of the TV.

[Okele]

even my wife who isnt into televisions and was irritated I "needed" a new one is highly impressed.